By Stan Cox, on December 24th, 2011
This short verse contains one of the most sublime truths ever revealed to man, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” As revealed in verses 1-3 of the text, the Word was (and is) God. As the prophet foretold, “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).
Of course, many deny this truth. “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7). John’s language condemns those who deny the humanity of the Son of God, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9).
He is God’s “only begotten.” His incarnation represents glad tidings of peace, and good will. His sinless life makes Him a sufficient sacrifice. His resurrection from the dead makes him the second Adam, bringing life. His ascension and glorification will culminate with the bowing of every knee, and the confession of what so many now deny. He is truly “full of grace and truth.”
By Stan Cox, on July 30th, 2010
John 1:6-13
John the Baptist’s ministry is here described by the apostle as a “witness.” This agrees with other descriptions of John. He was revealed in prophecy as the one who would “prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). His purpose was to introduce the world to “one who is coming after,” (cf. Matthew 3:11), the savior of the world.
John here describes that One as the “true light which gives light to every man” (vs. 9). In that phrase is an understanding of Christ as Lord and Savior. It is His will that gives man understanding, and His incarnation and sacrifice that brings man out of the darkness of sin and “into His marvelous light” (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).
Not all embrace Jesus as the Light. Though He made the world, he was not known or received by many in the world. Only those described here as having been born of God, or having received Him are identified as children of God. The idea is echoed in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:3-5. Consider carefully His words, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (3:3).
By Stan Cox, on July 19th, 2008
John 20:30-31
Our text immediately follows Jesus’ conversation with Thomas. Thomas expressed his faith upon seeing the ravaged body of Jesus.
His faith was a product of the resurrection miracle. He saw the evidence: the holes made by the nails and the spear wound in the Savior’s side, and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (vs. 28).
John here states the purpose of miracles, to engender faith.
Jesus is the Anointed of God. He is the Divine, and it is through Him that salvation comes. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
The miracles prove Jesus to be who He claimed He was. We do not have a record of all that Jesus did while He lived on earth. What we do have is sufficient. And, we can be assured by the testimony of God, (cf. Hebrews 2:1-4), that belief in the Son will bring us “life in His name.”
By Stan Cox, on February 9th, 2008
John 1:1-4
John’s gospel is not the only book that begins with the words, “In the beginning.” The first book of the Bible, Genesis, begins with the statement, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Our text reveals that God consists, at least, of the Father and the Son. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead.
Verse 14 states that the “word became flesh”, clearly showing that Jesus Christ is God, and is the Word mentioned in the first four verses as existing “In the beginning”, being “with God”, and actually being God.
The Word, God’s Son, is behind the entirety of creation. “without Him nothing was made that was made.” Because of the positions He holds as Creator and Savior, He is worthy of our worship and devotion. As John so eloquently put it, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Consider carefully the person and position of your Lord.
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